Grace takes reins as tennis coach

Vince Grace, a long-time resident of Sisters, has taken over the reins as the new head coach for the boys' tennis team.

Grace recently retired from the U.S. Forest Service, but still actively contributes in the summer months. Last year he volunteered to help Bruce Fenn with the girls' tennis program. He helped develop the girls' team to be more competitive with hitting practice, repetition, and consistency. He also helped attract other girls to the program and hopes to do the same with the boys program this year.

When the opening for the coaching position came up, Fenn asked Grace if he'd be interested in applying. In January Grace applied and was immediately accepted.

Grace claims he's a self-taught player who enjoys the game, both for fun and for the exercise. He currently has a tennis hitting partner, Robert Springer, who he's played consistently with for the past five years. Grace did play three years of tennis at North Eugene High School, for the most part as a No. 3 singles player, and occasionally as a No. 1 doubles player.

His main goal this year is to grow the team.

"We currently are at nine players and would like to be at 11, which is a full team," said Grace. "I'd also like to grow the younger players at both the elementary and middle school levels, just like Bruce is currently doing. I would also like to involve the community by having them come out and hit with the kids."

The high school varsity team is a young squad this year and it will be a building year for the team. Grace plans to stick with the program for many years to come and is excited about the season ahead.